Tundra Coil Swap Question (Feel free to yell at me)

[Tphocker]

I know I'm probably going to get hammered by people telling me that this information is already out there and I have read A TON of info on this and I still have a few questions, so suck it. lol

Today I was at the salvage yard and got lucky. I basically stumbled upon a 2004 Tundra. Wheels and tires are already ripped off. Brakes and rotors gone. Everything on the front end stripped and there they were. Front coils and struts just dangling there waiting for me to give them a home. So $50 later and I have a set of Tundra coils.

The big question I have is can I run the factory strut or do I need to get some blistens or something like that? I know a lot of people do this, but could I bolt them on as is? Also what other parts are needed for this swap? Can someone explain exactly what I need (as well as what I may want) and maybe a couple pictures?

Is there anything else I should replace while I'm in there and while I have things apart?

 

[Cree]

I know I'm probably going to get hammered by people telling me that this information is already out there and I have read A TON of info on this and I still have a few questions, so suck it. lol

Today I was at the salvage yard and got lucky. I basically stumbled upon a 2004 Tundra. Wheels and tires are already ripped off. Brakes and rotors gone. Everything on the front end stripped and there they were. Front coils and struts just dangling there waiting for me to give them a home. So $50 later and I have a set of Tundra coils.

The big question I have is can I run the factory strut or do I need to get some blistens or something like that? I know a lot of people do this, but could I bolt them on as is? Also what other parts are needed for this swap? Can someone explain exactly what I need (as well as what I may want) and maybe a couple pictures?

Is there anything else I should replace while I'm in there and while I have things apart?

You could bolt them on as is but I don't think you'll get as much lift as you would with the 5100's. How much you'll end up with I can't tell you.

Check the top hat and the lower bushing. If the top hat lines up and the lower bushing is the right size no other parts would be needed.

As far as other things, now would be a good time to look at all your joints and axles.

 

[csp]

Bolt circle on the top hat is too big for a 4Runner.

What are the colors on the springs? Are the shocks the yellow Bilsteins? Not all Tundra springs are desirable.

 

[Cree]

Bolt circle on the top hat is too big for a 4Runner.

What are the colors on the springs? Are the shocks the yellow Bilsteins? Not all Tundra springs are desirable.

Good to know.

 

[Tphocker]

Bolt circle on the top hat is too big for a 4Runner.

What are the colors on the springs? Are the shocks the yellow Bilsteins? Not all Tundra springs are desirable.

So does someone make a modified top hat that fits the 4Runner and accepts the tundra coils?

I'll have to look again to see the color marks on the coils. The shocks are just black. I couldn't tell if the vehicle was labeled TRD but i believe it was a crew cab 4 door version. I'm just trying to figure out what I have and I need so I don't get stuck with my vehicle pulled apart not having what I need.

 

[Koko4]

So does someone make a modified top hat that fits the 4Runner and accepts the tundra coils?

I'll have to look again to see the color marks on the coils. The shocks are just black. I couldn't tell if the vehicle was labeled TRD but i believe it was a crew cab 4 door version. I'm just trying to figure out what I have and I need so I don't get stuck with my vehicle pulled apart not having what I need.

I used my stock 4Runner top hats in conjunction with a Tundra coil isolator (rubber piece) and the TRD coils, and just did the swap recently. I don't know the answer to your question about the shocks, because I have Bilstein 5100's.

Be careful with the spring compressor, if you do it yourself.

 

[Cree]

So does someone make a modified top hat that fits the 4Runner and accepts the tundra coils?

I'll have to look again to see the color marks on the coils. The shocks are just black. I couldn't tell if the vehicle was labeled TRD but i believe it was a crew cab 4 door version. I'm just trying to figure out what I have and I need so I don't get stuck with my vehicle pulled apart not having what I need.

There's like 5 different springs it could be depending on trim and equipment. You need to know something about the truck. Can you look at the yard's website and get the VIN perhaps?

 

[Tphocker]

There's like 5 different springs it could be depending on trim and equipment. You need to know something about the truck. Can you look at the yard's website and get the VIN perhaps?

I'll have to call them maybe. All they have on the website is that it's a 2004 sr5. Maybe I'm wrong but the only really difference in the coils is that the TRDs are progressive so they will give a butter ride quality. But I should be able to the same 2-2.5" lift on all the coils. Isn't that the case?

 

[Cree]

I'll have to call them maybe. All they have on the website is that it's a 2004 sr5. Maybe I'm wrong but the only really difference in the coils is that the TRDs are progressive so they will give a butter ride quality. But I should be able to the same 2-2.5" lift on all the coils. Isn't that the case?

I don't know the complete answer to that. A lot of it has to do with where the perch is.

 

[Tphocker]

Alright guys. Here are some pictures of the springs. The colors are blue,blue and green, green.

 

[BrandonF]

I have the non-TRD coils on bilstein 5100's and they are totally fine. You DO NOT need the TRD coils like everyone seems to think. They give the same ride height. The only difference is that the TRD coils are supposedly progressive wound coils and give a better ride. I am more than happy with the ride of my non TRD coils and I think it has more to do with the shock anyways.

I ran the stock tundra struts before I got my bilstein 5100's. They worked well but I ran them with a 3/4" top plate spacer. And as mentioned, you need to transfer over the coil isolator/top cap from your 4runner so the studs line up.

With the 3/4" spacer, they gave me about 2.5" of lift, if I remember correctly.

With the tundra coil and strut on its own, expect 1.75-2" of lift over an average stock height.

 

[Tphocker]

I have the non-TRD coils on bilstein 5100's and they are totally fine. You DO NOT need the TRD coils like everyone seems to think. They give the same ride height. The only difference is that the TRD coils are supposedly progressive wound coils and give a better ride. I am more than happy with the ride of my non TRD coils and I think it has more to do with the shock anyways.

I ran the stock tundra struts before I got my bilstein 5100's. They worked well but I ran them with a 3/4" top plate spacer. And as mentioned, you need to transfer over the coil isolator/top cap from your 4runner so the studs line up.

With the 3/4" spacer, they gave me about 2.5" of lift, if I remember correctly.

With the tundra coil and strut on its own, expect 1.75-2" of lift over an average stock height.

Thanks for the info. There are so many different versions of Tundra and a lot of them have different shock setups so it gets a little confusing trying to figure it all out. I assume these aren't TRD because it seems like all the TRD shocks have different color markings and yellow struts. Is that correct?

So you got 3/4" spacers and you also need longer studs, correct? Is that all you needed to do the swap? I guess you need a pair of spring compressors if I get some new struts?

I'll probably wait to put them on until I get some Bilsteins anyway.

 

[Tphocker]

I think I've figured out that these are from an 05 Step Side, 2X2, TRD Sport Package

Drivers side front coil Green/Green
Passenger side Blue/Blue

Hoping that since it's a TRD even though its a two wheel drive that it should ride the same as the Yellow/Blue TRD coils everyone seems to be running.

Anyone else? thoughts?

 

[Cree]

Thanks for the info. There are so many different versions of Tundra and a lot of them have different shock setups so it gets a little confusing trying to figure it all out. I assume these aren't TRD because it seems like all the TRD shocks have different color markings and yellow struts. Is that correct?

So you got 3/4" spacers and you also need longer studs, correct? Is that all you needed to do the swap? I guess you need a pair of spring compressors if I get some new struts?

I'll probably wait to put them on until I get some Bilsteins anyway.

TRD springs are Yellow/Yellow - Yellow/Blue. So you are correct in that they're not TRD's. If there's two versions of the TRD springs, I'm not aware of it. I don't know everything though. Fact, I don't know much sometimes. It's not that everyone thinks you NEED to run TRD's, just that if you're going to spend money on them new, get the one's that ride better. Find some in a yard? Take what you can get.

You'll need compressors if you swap hats or struts. If you're only gonna swap once, go rent some compressors from a parts house. Even if you'll be in there a couple times, I'd still probably just rent them. I don't like random things taking up space though.

 

[Tphocker]

TRD springs are Yellow/Yellow - Yellow/Blue. So you are correct in that they're not TRD's. If there's two versions of the TRD springs, I'm not aware of it. I don't know everything though. Fact, I don't know much sometimes. It's not that everyone thinks you NEED to run TRD's, just that if you're going to spend money on them new, get the one's that ride better. Find some in a yard? Take what you can get.

You'll need compressors if you swap hats or struts. If you're only gonna swap once, go rent some compressors from a parts house. Even if you'll be in there a couple times, I'd still probably just rent them. I don't like random things taking up space though.

I always thought there was only one TRD coil as well. But I checked and the vehicle I pulled these off was a 2 wheel drive TRD. And I found this Tundra TRD Owner Roll Call... PLEASE READ!!! (coil springs) [Archive] - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum which confirms.

So IDK. But I'll give it a try I suppose. For $50 I can't go wrong.

I will prob just rent some coil compressors. I'm a little leery to because I had a friend have a set fail on him cause they were damaged. A little scary but I'll give them a good inspection first for sure.

 

[sportsterchop200]

poly isolators?

Does anyone know what the ID and OD are on the stock rubber isolators? Also are there polyurethane isolators available? I cant seem to find any.
Thanks

 

[Jarretv]

Bolt Pattern doesn't fit

Well I bought a set of struts off a Tundra and went to put them on the 4runner but the top plate pattern does not line up. What is the best route to take from here?